Mata Vaishno Devi Gets Lit! Devotees Celebrate as Special Navratri Perks Roll Out
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): On the first day of Chaitra Navratri, Mata Vaishno Devi's temple witnessed an overwhelming crowd. By Sunday night, 48,073 devotees had visited the temple for darshan, with lines stretching long into the night. Devotees began queuing up well before the temple gates even opened, eagerly waiting for a glimpse of the Goddess. The air was filled with chants of "Jai Mata Di," making the entire atmosphere spiritually electrifying.
Due to the sheer volume of devotees, registration centers closed early at around 10 pm, as the crowds continued to grow.
Thousands Register for Yatra, Chants Echo in the Air
By 7 pm, approximately 42,500 devotees had already registered at the base camp in Katra and embarked on their journey to the temple. The rest of the devotees continued to wait their turn. On Saturday, a total of 49,489 devotees paid their obeisance to Mata Rani. The temple is beautifully adorned with flowers, adding to the serene spiritual vibe. Massive welcome gates have been set up at various points, amplifying the festive spirit.
At the Katra Registration Center, which serves as the entry point for the yatra, devotees moved through long queues, each stretching a kilometer. The energy was high, with devotees chanting slogans and songs, as the sounds of "Jai Mata Di" echoed across the Trikuta Mountains.
Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Makes Special Arrangements
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has gone all out to ensure that devotees' experience is as smooth and comfortable as possible during the Chaitra Navratri celebrations. Even though the registration center shut down for the night, around 10,000 to 15,000 devotees remained in Katra, waiting for their chance to receive the yatra card early Monday morning.
New Facilities for Devotees
This year, the Shrine Board has introduced several new facilities to make the pilgrimage more comfortable. Anshul Garg, the CEO of the Shrine Board, shared this during the inauguration of the nine-day Shat Chandi Yagna at the Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Garg emphasized that the yagna was being organized for world peace, prosperity, and human welfare.
Among the new facilities, the Shrine Board has introduced smart lockers, free public call booths, and special arrangements for Divyang (disabled) devotees. Divyang pilgrims will also have priority in helicopter bookings and can use free battery car services to make their journey easier. Additionally, resting and waiting rooms have been set up at Banganga and Ardhkumwari to ensure the comfort of pilgrims, no matter the season.
With the record-breaking crowds and enhanced services, the first day of Chaitra Navratri at Mata Vaishno Devi has been a massive success. The journey is set to continue with thousands more expected to pay their respects in the coming days.
